 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Jacy
Date: 2002-03-24 23:46
I haven't played my clarinet for a few days, it's been in the case. When I assembled it to play today, none of the chalemeau register notes will play--with or without the register key the lowest not I can get is a clarion low B. The pads seem to be sealing, I haven't changed my embouchre, the bore looks okay inside, what could be wrong?
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Author: GBK
Date: 2002-03-25 00:43
Are all tenon corks ok?
Especially check the one between the upper and lower sections...GBK
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Author: Bob Curtis
Date: 2002-03-25 02:29
Jacy, the symptons you are describing are very typical of a leak somewhere around your lowest playable note. I would suggest that, if you are not capable of doing your own repair or checking for leaks, that you take it to a repair man, describe your problems, and let them check the instrument out for you. I know that this can be a bother, but it is the one of the best ways to solve your problem.
Goodluck,
Bob curtis
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Author: Dee
Date: 2002-03-25 02:34
Check the side trill keys on the upper joint. One may be leaking and thus acting as if it were a "register" key.
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Author: Robert Small
Date: 2002-03-25 03:39
Check the set screw on the throat A. If it's turned even a half turn too much the A won't seal and everything below goes out.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2002-03-25 10:34
Find where the leak is:
It will be in the upper section. Check this on its own.
Block the lower end with a cork.
Cover the keys (i.e. finger chalumeau C)
Close your lips around the upper end and gently blow air into the clarinet.
You will almost certainly hear the leak.
Use the other hand to squeeze shut each key in turn to find which squeezing alters the sound of the air leaking.
Bingo!
A likely possibility:
If the top or second side keys are squeezed too much during handling (assembly?) they can be bent down towards the body at a weak point, where these keys straddle the link from the thumb ring key to the first finger key (F#). Then when the thumb key or the F# key are are closed, this linkage arm on the F# key pushes open one of the top two side keys.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2002-03-25 10:40
In this scenario the side key is opened only a tiny fraction of a millimetre - just enough to make a leak that affects the low register more than the rest.
Another common scenario is that there is too much friction in the action of the spring of the throat A key. This can be caused by wear from the spring rubbing on the timber, poor design, poorly installed spring, lack of spring lubrication, etc. In this case the spring does not exert enough force to fully seal the throat A pad. Correction can sometimes be quite a demanding exercise, even for an average technician.
These are two common causes for leaks developing. Of course there are dozens of other causes. The first task is to locate leaks. Dealing with these sorts of problems have many, many variables, and is what good technicians do with great efficiency.
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Author: beejay
Date: 2002-03-25 12:35
It happened to me last week. Took it to the technician, who made a half turn of the set screw on the A and restored everything to normal.
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Author: BeckyC
Date: 2002-03-25 13:52
The throat A Key was my promblem also, after an amateur cleaning.
It was just a fraction of a fraction off. This made all the difference in the world.
I would check that, first.
Becky
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Author: Stephane
Date: 2002-03-25 14:08
Happenned to me too, same problem as BeckyC and Beejay, you should definitely check that screw!
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Author: Brian
Date: 2002-03-25 19:56
The screw was my culprit too!
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2002-03-26 09:57
If the A & G# pad seating and linkage is well set up, then this problem is most unlikely to arise unless the G# key has been bent or somebody has tweaked the screw too far.
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